Good starter bike?

[SolPol]

Ok, I'm looking to get a bike with some of my insurance money.

Can anyone recommend a good starter bike? I have not done much riding, but I would like a street bike. Not a cruiser.

[ShagginJet]

Anything 450-600cc should be fine. Honda is know for it's handling in the 600 series. Depending on the year, some of the earlier bikes might have some issues for all manufatures. All second gen street bikes should be fine. Obviously a new biek would be idea. Depending on your size you might want to look at weight numbers on the different bikes. My bike, an 87-90 CBR600, is pretty damn heavy for what it is.

[SolPol]

Cool. I got a friend with an '03 600RR. Sweet bike. I want one.

[autocrossthugg]

start out with an older and smaller cc bike. You WILL put it down. better to learn on a bike that already has some scars on it. then graduate to a newer and larger bike after about a year or two. don't ask me how i know.

[SolPol]

So what, like a 450 or something to start?

[autocrossthugg]

450/500 nice size, easier to pick up when downed, cheaper to insure, still pretty fast.

[SolPol]

Sweet, thanks.

[autocrossthugg]

your welcome, good luck. Keep the shiny side up.

[autocrossthugg]

Oh, by the way, you should take a motorcycle safety course. probably offered through the dmv or the local junior college. As with cars, 'any seat time is good time spent'

[SolPol]

Yeah, the MSF has a course I can take. It's 2 or 3 days. I have a friend who took it, said it equals about a year and a half of riding experience. Can't take the course until October though, all booked up.